This recipe was developed specifically for the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, an attachment for 6-quart Instant Pots. If you're using a different air fryer, you may need to adjust the recipe slightly for your machine.

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

Yes, but you need to thaw it before cooking it in the air fryer.

Either move the salmon from the freezer to the fridge the night (or morning) before cooking, or quick-thaw in a cold water bath.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon

Start by patting the salmon fillets dry.

Season them with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Spray (or brush) oil onto the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will help keep leaner salmon fillets (like pink salmon) from sticking to the basket.

Set the salmon fillets skin-side-up in the basket. I’ve found that placing the fillets skin-side-down results in the skin sticking (badly) to the air fryer basket.

Place Salmon Skin-Side-Up in the Basket

What Temperature Should I Use to Air Fry Salmon?

I like to air fry my salmon at 370°F.

Some recipes will tell you to cook the salmon at a hotter temperature for less time. That technique will work, but I’ve found that the salmon develops “white stuff” (aka albumin protein deposits) when air fried at higher temperatures.

You’ve probably seen the white protein appear when baking salmon. It’s totally harmless, but pretty unattractive. Lowering the temperature a little will keep it from appearing.

Flip Salmon Halfway Through Cooking

How Long Should I Air Fry Salmon?

Cook it for about seven minutes per inch of thickness.

That means if your fillets are very thin (like with pink salmon), you might cook it for less time. If your fillets are extra-thick (like with some Atlantic salmon or king salmon), you might need to increase the cook time.

Can I Use This Technique with a Different Recipe?

Yes, absolutely!

Think of this as a basic technique that you can adapt as needed.

Keep in mind that air fryers work best with dry ingredients, so to adapt this recipe, try rubbing the salmon with different seasonings. Air fryer salmon is delicious when seasoned with garlic powder, or I especially love it with smoked paprika.

I like to serve mine with an easy yogurt sauce, but the sauce is totally optional.

If you want to try a different sauce, go for it! Just make sure to prepare it separately from the salmon, don’t coat the salmon in a wet sauce before cooking.

After cooking, you’ll have tender, delicious salmon fillets, and a new cooking technique to carry into your everyday meals.

Salmon:

Yogurt Sauce (Optional):

Instructions

Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel, and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Spray the air fryer basket with oil, or brush with olive oil.

Set salmon fillets skin-side-up in the air fryer basket. (If placed skin-side-down, the skin will likely stick to the basket.)

Preheat air fryer to 370°F.

Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer. Cook time will depend on how thick your salmon is. Cook for 7 minutes per inch of thickness.

Flip once (halfway through cooking).

While the salmon cooks, mix together the yogurt sauce. Depending on how thick your yogurt is, you might want to add a splash of caper brine to thin the sauce.

Serve the salmon fillets and yogurt sauce immediately.

Leftover sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

This recipe was developed specifically for the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, an attachment for 6-quart Instant Pots. If you’re using a different air fryer, you may need to adjust the recipe slightly for your machine.